by Christine Byrne and Alyssa Tomasello
“Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, how lovely are your branches”. Decorating the Christmas tree is usually one of the most enjoyable, yet stressful tasks of all holiday decorating. After purchasing a tree, some may find themselves in a decorating dilemma. If you are ever confused on where to begin, follow these easy steps to get to Decorating Heaven.
First, in order to ensure your tree is healthy, make sure that the tree is getting enough water. This will avoid any dryness of the tree and will allow the tree to maintain a healthy green glow. To give your tree that extra shimmer purchase lights by using this universal guide. A good rule to thumb for the amount of lights needed based on the size of the tree is as follows: For a tree standing 4 to 5 feet add 200 to 500 miniature lights, 6 to 6.5 feet, add 500 to 700 miniature lights, 7 to 7.5 feet 600 – 800 miniature lights, 8 to 9 feet, 800 – 1200 miniature lights. Before you can begin, you must get into the spirit and put on a Christmas carol mix CD!
Step One: The Lights. To install lights on the tree, the first step is to test each strand by plugging them into an outlet to assure that they work. Next carefully work your way from the bottom up and wrap the strands around the tree in a circular pattern. Be sure to hide the wires for a clean look and feel to the tree. Continue to connect strands until the entire tree is sparkling with lights.
Step Two: The ornaments add special character and pizzazz to your Christmas tree. A merry frosting for your Christmas tree is to categorize your ornaments in a theme fashion. Many popular choices are Winter Wonderland, Santa’s Workshop, Kitchen Magician, Candyland, Color Coordination, and the traditional blown glass Christmas ornaments. Place the ornaments in a general pattern. The ornaments can be equally spaced on branch tips as central points, consistently spaced in the tree to add dimension, or irregularly positioned clusters and groups as focal points.
Step Three: The most important element of the Christmas tree decoration process is adding the final touch. This involves the tree topper. Each family has their own personal tree topper. It can be an elegant angel or a shining star or any other creative topper. The family gathers around the tree and reflects on the true meaning of Christmas. Celebrate by putting on a pot of cider or hot cocoa and bask in the ambiance of the gleaming Christmas wonderland that you have just created! Congratulations! You have just reached Decorating Heaven!
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